Bio & Incident Details
Age: 36
Tour: 12 years
Badge # Not available
Cause: Gunfire
Incident Date: 6/10/1966
Weapon: Officer's handgun
Suspect: Sentenced to life
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Patrolman Joseph Gaetano was shot and killed by a prisoner who gained control of his service revolver in the elevator of the Public Safety Building while transporting him from the Identification Section to the Number 1 cell block. The suspect was captured 90 minutes later.
The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life on March 17, 1968. As he was being transported from the Allegheny Jail to Western Penitentiary his wife slipped him a sawed-off shotgun. As officers subdued him the gun discharged, wounding a guard. On April 15, 1969, he received an additional 8 to 17 years for attempted escape.
Patrolman Gaetano had served with the agency for 12 years.
